Back in December 2020, Brian Cashman said he hoped for “10 years with Boone.” Looks like he meant it — Boone is set to return for his ninth season as Yankees manager. After the 5-2 home loss in Game 4 that sealed another disappointing exit, much of the blame again fell on Boone. Yet while many Yankees fans share that view, legends Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez don’t. And a longtime New York insider has a very different take of his own.

While reflecting on the Yankees’ season after the elimination, Jeter said, “I’m not saying that from any inside knowledge, but I’m pretty sure Aaron’s not the one that’s calling every move.”

While Jeter insists that Aaron Boone is a figurehead bound by the Yankees’ organizational structure, Andy Martino holds an opposing view.

“Jeter and A-Rod are not connected to the day-to-day of the Yankees and are spreading falsehoods on TV. People assume they know what they’re talking about because of who they are, but it’s Suzyn who knows,” he noted.

Martino points to sportscaster Suzyn Waldman, who says Boone is “in lockstep” with the Yankees’ analytics — not taking orders. She believes Boone fully supports the approach and follows it by choice, not obligation.

According to Martino, Suzyn Waldman knows better than A-Rod and Jeter. However, let’s also note that nearly two months ago, Yankees outfielder Clint Frazier shared Jeter’s viewpoint.

Having played for a brief stint with the Yankees, he revealed that whenever Aaron Boone would write his own lineup, the analytics team would produce theirs, and the two sides would merge their versions to create the day’s official order. Alex Rodriguez also believes that Boone is the least to blame. From a personal standpoint, the Yankees’ roster construction is the main issue, as per A-Rod.

So, while Martino believes that Aaron Boone is the ultimate decision maker and not a puppet who follows the organization’s calls, Derek Jeter stresses that Boone isn’t the one to blame.

What’s next for Aaron Boone after the postseason flameout?

The Yankees’ management cannot be held solely responsible for the Yankees’ championship drought. Many Yankees faithful want Aaron Boone fired and wish the same fate on Brian Cashman, too. Following a lost season, the Yankees have one major problem to address. As even Ken Rosenthal from The Athletic pointed out, the Yankees can’t waste the Judge Era like that.

The perennial MVP candidate will be 34 next April. And by then, the Yankees might have already wasted his prime years. He hasn’t won a championship yet, and he clearly deserves to.

He finished the postseason 13-for-26 with a stunning .500/.581/.692 slash line. Moreover, his incredible three-run, game-tying homer in game 3 was a Key October highlight. Despite such talent, the Yankees couldn’t make it to the American League Championship Series.

Having a star-studded roster, the Yankees did not embarrass themselves like they did in last year’s World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. As even Derek Jeter pointed out after the meltdown, the Blue Jays were simply a better team. They scored the Yankees, 34-19, including 5-2 in the clincher.

However, as the Yankees look ahead to next season, they will have key pieces such as Max Fried, Carlos Rodón, Cam Schlittler, Luis Gil, and Will Warren. Most of the crucial pieces from the Yankees’ current core were injured at some point in this season.

If they can manage to stay healthy and consistent, they can help Aaron Judge with his first World Series ring.